Rastafari: Interview with a Congo Natty

Overveiw

Before we get to the interview, I would like to give you an idea of who is a Congo Natty. This group probable represents the smallest mansion of Rastafari. The Congo Natty lifestyle is what Americans would refer to as being off the grid and vegan in one. They do not part take in shopping or going to the movies. They are rarely seen on the reggae circuit or in the tourist resorts in Jamaica. They are most times seen in the market but still not regularly.

The Congo Natty grows and prepares their food. They also make their own clothes from self-woven fabric. Those who may live near the cities will not drink piped water. They would go to the source of the rivers for water instead. More information will be divulged in the Interview. I was given the privilege to interview a Congo Natty named JAH Thunder at a library in Montego Bay.

The Rastafarian speech is different from Jamaican dialect. Here are some terminologies that are used in the interview. I’ll try to use as much Standard English as possible.

Source

Rasta Terminologies

I and I – This means you or me or the lord which is the same in Rastafarian culture. This phrase carries more emphasis than just saying I.

I – same as I and I with less emphasis

Nuh - just an expression, no English equivalent

Niah –Short for Nyabinghi Rastafarian

Higha – Means Lord, can be used as me or you also

Bomboclaat - curse word

Overstand - positive form of understand

Reasoning - constructive conversation

The I – it means you or used when referring to a person

Interview with Jah Thunder (Congo Natty)

Rasta1: Good day natty, I and I would like to ask the I about the I and I faith.

JAH Thunder: Cool nuh Niah. (this means yes)

Rasta1: I and I doing some articles on the internet about the different Mansions of Rastafari.

JAH Thunder: Yes my Lord, What the I want to know.

Rasta1: Why do you refer to me as your Lord ?

JAH Thunder: Are you the Devil ?

Rasta1: No

JAH Thunder: Then the I is Lord.

JAH Thunder: Sometimes, when you see people for the first, it can be the Lord in disguise, so the I have to know I place on earth. It is important not to fail JAH test that can come anytime in any form.

Rasta1: So the I is saying that I could be God right now.

JAH Thunder: Yes Higha

Rasta1: So if a homeless person walks up to the I and beg the I some money. Would the I give some money?

JAH Thunder: That is one of the most basic tests JAH put to everyone taking on different forms. I don’t handle money, so I would give the I food, clothes or any other resources I and I can spare.

Rasta1: What do the I mean about not handling money?

JAH Thunder: Money is for poor people, I and I have all the food and shelter that I need. Only those who owe Babylon money need money. I don’t owe any supermarket or anyone any money. Money Bomboclaat!

Rasta1: How the I think about the necessity of money and the economy ? People need money.

JAH Thunder: My Lord, Overstand the reasoning. The first trick of Babylon is to take away farming from the people by methods of wars and creating cities, Right. Then they make it impossible to eat food without money. When people are hungry they no longer look to the fields, they now look to Babylon for their bread. Money is an illusion my Lord.

Rasta1: What the I think about credit cards.

JAH Thunder: When the money is not enough to bond the person, them use credit cards, loans, hire purchase and all types of scheme in order to get the person to owe more money and become deeper in bondage.

Rasta1: How the I keep up with trends, when the I live in rural areas?

JAH Thunder: I and I, know everything what happening now like the Arab Spring, drones, H1N1 virus, China dumping US dollars. I and I don’t live in darkness, you know.

JAH Thunder: I and I have a radio and a laptop. I listen to the radio regularly. Some days I forward to the library and surf the internet and download stuff on I memory device then go home and read it on I laptop. I daughter and son give I gadgets all the time. I not using the laptop right now, cause it get infiltrated by Babylon by some sort of virus.

Rasta1: How the I get electricity.

JAH Thunder: I and I have a Rasta brethren that build a wind turbine by reversing the polarity of a fan. Then use it to charge car batteries. He refill I batteries all the time.

Rasta1: The I have a facebook?

JAH Thunder: Burn facebook, I and I will not participate in them mass censorship programs. All these things tie in to schemes of society.

Rasta1: where the I live and why.

JAH Thunder: I live way up in the hills, because the air is clean and farming is easy. I also have access to springs. JAH teach this, destruction of the poor is in the city.

Rasta1: How did you get to the library today?

JAH Thunder: Ten toe turbo, by foot of course. Cars only destroy the ozone and petrol is dead energy. We don’t deal with dead energy. Only deal with living energy. I and I use to have a nice bicycle but it got stolen by the devil.

Rasta1: Why do you think the devil stole your bike ?

JAH Thunder: Because when JAH ask I for food or clothes or anything, I give it to JAH, for I don’t want to fail the test. If JAH did want I bicycle, JAH would just ask for it. But the devil is deceptive and do not believe I am a kind Rasta and just take it from I. I and I is very wealthy and JAH know this. The devil is very lustful and vain. Everything the devil sees on TV, he wants.

Rasta1: So, the I is saying that that the person who stole your bike is the devil.

JAH Thunder: Yes Higha, dishonest people do dishonest things. This is how the devil manifests. Only the devil lies, kills, robs and rapes.

Rasta1: what about firearms for protecting ones property?

JAH Thunder: All firearms should be melted down and made into machineries to till the soil. Only killers need firearms.

Rasta1: What if someone attacked you for your possession with a firearm.

JAH Thunder: first of all JAH protect I and I. I choose to live this simple life with very little possession because I do not want to attract the devil to I. I will not use a firearm to defend I life. JAH defend I life. Wicked people need guns to protect their money bought possessions.

Rasta1: do you smoke marijuana.

JAH Thunder: I am over 50 years old and I have stopped smoking marijuana for about two years now. I now eat it as a vegetable.

Rasta1: How comes you do not look like a 50 year old person.

JAH Thunder: I drink a lot of Irish moss and eat a lot of fruits. I also use coconut oil on I skin to take off some of the sun.

Rasta1: would you mind if I took a picture.

JAH Thunder: No disrespect, No

Rasta1: why

JAH Thunder: Because you are a member of censored internet programs. The I could easily be infiltrated.

Rasta1: Why do you think Babylon is out to get us?

JAH Thunder: If Babylon love the I, would they sell you products that cause cancer, would they sell guns. This is just common sense. I am not paranoid, it’s just the truth.

Rasta1: Do you grow marijuana?

JAH Thunder: Remember it was the I who wanted to take I picture (Both laughing). I only grow basic crops, I do not want to lose all of I crops because of any marijuana trees. I do not like when helicopters with soldiers and their guns swoop down on my farm. I try to stay away from anything that attracts guns or Babylon.

Rasta1: Give thanks for the reasoning, Congo Natty JAH Thunder.

JAH Thunder: Respect my Lord

JAH Thunder then gave I a bag a peanuts and some fruits and then left. I did not remember to ask Congo Natty about his poetry, as he was also a poet. I know I would not see him for another couple of years. I was very happy to get some information from a Congo Natty for my personal higher learning. I have spoken to a Guru.

More Articles on Rastafarian Culture

· Rastafarian Culture : An overview of Rastafarian culture and lifestyle. The different aspects of Rastafarian beliefs is explained and explored. Certain aspects such as health, food, appearance and spiritual beliefs will be examined carefully. The main Rastafarian rituals will also be expounded on.

· Rastafari: Twelve Tribes of Israel: Explains the beliefs of the twelve tribes of Israel movement within the Rastafarian Culture. This article shows how the expatriated descendants of Jacob are now the Rastafarians’ in the west. Twelve tribes of Israel is the movement that is responsible for the exodus of Rastafarians and black people to our rightful home, Africa.

· Rastafari vs Babylon: Explains the conflict between Rastafarian beliefs and Babylon. The continuous and soon to end battle between the righteous and the unrighteous. The wicked will continue to take advantage of the innocence of the people. It is the job of Rastafarian culture to shine a light on the deceptive techniques used by Babylon.

· Why Rastafarians are Vegans: Sparing the life of animals is an important part of Rastafarian beliefs and culture. There are more nutrients provided by plants than meat. In this day and age of hormone induced meats, it is important to avoid the dangers of meat. This article proves the importance of a vegan diet and the benefits to be gained.

· The Children are Crying Out for Love: A street child does a touching dub poet about living on the streets of Jamaica. This poem conjures up a lot of emotions. One of the main Rastafarian beliefs is to look out for the children of the streets. All these children on the streets are part of the Rastafarian culture.

Respect Bob. It is always good to expand our knowledge about life by talking to those who have more experience in life. I have seen Jah Thunder a couple times after our interview.

BobMonger 5 years agofrom Carlin, Nevada USA

I met a new friend during a religious retreat last fall. In our conversations since then he has opened my eyes to many truths that I already knew but did not recognize. His expressions of the spirit reminded me so much of your writings I'm sending him your way, I think the two of you have quite a bit in common.

Author

Marvin Parke 5 years agofrom Jamaica

Respect Health. Thanks for stopping. I really appreciate it.

Author

Marvin Parke 5 years agofrom Jamaica

Ancient philosophies do conflict with modern ideologies. Because in these modern days money is traded and it is scarce. That is what causes the rat race.

Mohan Kumar 5 years agofrom UK

Rasta1 - thank you for sharing this. I learnt a lot from this reasoning. I grew up in India where there is a group of sadhus who forego money and material possessions. They practice pretty similar lifestyles and seek truth in ancient Vedas and do partake in mi d altering 'herbs'. They see the rest of us selling our souls to the devil and false Gods. I remember vividly talking to one of the 'siddhas' that introduced me to deeper thinking and this hub here brought back memories. Much appreciate your gift.Respect.

Author

Marvin Parke 6 years agofrom Jamaica

Give thanks Shamou, it is all based on the concept of modern wealth which is an illusion.It is really healthy food that is wealth. Not gucci.

shamou 6 years ago

Bredrin the reason was awesome, I can always raspect an elder's reasoning. The message is so clear and overstandable, "only those who owe babylon, deals with money".... and I began to think of all of my student loans and the preparation to gather money for food for IandI family to eat. Hmmm, it make you think, but all Glory to Jah, Jesus Christ for the covering in mistery babylon.

Author

Marvin Parke 6 years agofrom Jamaica

Respect Prince, Glad to have shared this info with you. Give thanks.

Prince SiJahk Selassie I 6 years ago

Greetings in the name of Lord Jah RastafarI. InI give thanks for your informatio,maximum respect Jahlove.

Author

Marvin Parke 6 years agofrom Jamaica

Respect Monger,the clash of cultures did have a negative end. thanks for that little piece.

BobMonger 6 years agofrom Carlin, Nevada USA

The best take I've found on our native tribes experiences with the Europeans comes from the introduction to Kurt Vonnegut's "Breakfast of Champions." I paraphrased part of it in a piece I wrote some time ago, but I'll repost it here. It is tongue-in-cheek but hits the nail on the head.

“…there were millions of people already in the Americas living useful and productive lives until light skinned sea pirates arrived and began robbing and killing them.What made these pirates so successful was their ability to astound.No one could believe how cruel and greedy they were until it was too late.”

WD Curry 111 6 years agofrom Space Coast

They are today. I am of a strong opinion that we would do well to let them run the government. At least, this government should seek their wisdom. It is still good today.

Before the Europeans arrived, they were fit and healthy. They were determined to "leave a soft footprint". There were quite a few living on your Island in the day. For the most part, they were ripe for the Gospel. The Europeans got their Greco-Roman-Babylonian culture confused with the Kingdom of Heaven. They got scared or greedy and dropped the ball.

Author

Marvin Parke 6 years agofrom Jamaica

Respect WD, Rastafarians endorses the native Americans and their faith. When I was just a kid, a Rastafarian told me that Cowboy movies are fictional and it was the Indians that were the good guys.

WD Curry 111 6 years agofrom Space Coast

It is funny. I was feeling weird. I thought about rasta 1. I need to go visit.

This is when I felt weird, "This internet stuff is getting into my head. It's Babylon."

Then I see you came by. I and I was glad to hear the man, praise His Holy Name! He sounds like the Miccosukee Seminole Elder, "Buffalo Tiger". He has been touting the old ways a lot lately. He does it with a Biblical perspective. Here in Florida, I call it "Pre-fab-alon".

We want to look down on these prophets for being naïve. Oops!

"Only those who owe Babylon money need money"

Author

Marvin Parke 6 years agofrom Jamaica

Thanks Cardisa, glad you liked it.

Carolee Samuda 6 years agofrom Jamaica

Very real. The I did a great job. I had a lot of fun reading and could hear some of my Rasta friends voices as I read.

I especially like the part where he mentioned the ten toe turbo...lol

Sky9106 6 years agofrom A beautiful place on earth.

Much appreciate it I felt the interview , and all I can say is communication is the key to life. I am grateful for this one . I love the sincere people and I admire those that are heading towards sincerity. There is no middle ground , you are or you ain't . That's why there is mass confusion , because of that in between , burnt pan telling the kettle, you know the rest.

Bless.

Author

Marvin Parke 6 years agofrom Jamaica

Yeah Sky, I did this one with you in mind. Just wanted to give an idea on how Rastafarians think or should be thinking.

Sky9106 6 years agofrom A beautiful place on earth.

This is a very in depth interview I can feel the genuineness and the understanding or should I say over standing.

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